Accor Appoints Herlé-Xavier Carn as Senior Vice President Group Safety and Security

Accor today announces that Herlé-Xavier Carn has been appointed as Senior Vice President Safety and Security, following the departure of Christian Flaesch, who is leaving the Group after nearly 10 years leading the Safety and Security Department. Assuming the role on 01 October 2023, Herlé-Xavier will be responsible for crisis management and prevention initiatives across the Group, developing protective measures to ensure the ongoing safety of Accor employees and properties. In this capacity Herlé-Xavier will report directly to Steven Daines, Group Chief Talent & Culture Officer.

Bringing more than 30 years of experience acquired at public and private institutions in France and abroad, Herlé-Xavier started his career working at the French Ministry of Defence and then started at the French embassies in Singapore and Thailand. Moving to the private sector Herlé-Xavier then spent 17 years with International SOS security group, a leading multinational company specializing in international health and safety risk management, where he held the roles of Vice President and EMEA Regional Security Director.

This appointment demonstrates and reinforces Accor’s ongoing commitment to the safety of employees, guests and assets across the company’s wide reaching and international operations. Herlé-Xavier’s background providing business resilience solutions to large global corporations positions the group well to respond to evolving threats and vulnerabilities, creating a secure environment for employees and management to deliver industry leading hospitality services and experiences.

Commenting on this appointment, Accor Chairman & CEO Sébastien Bazin said “I am very pleased to be announcing the appointment of Herlé-Xavier Carn to this position. I am confident his skills will greatly benefit the group, supporting Accor’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all employees and guests while helping everyone to experience and deliver the best possible hospitality experience. I would also like to thank Christian Flaesch for his tireless professional commitment to Accor during his time at the company. His crisis management expertise and presence across the regions and hotels were of enormous value to both guests and employees globally, most notably during the height of the Covid pandemic.”

Speaking on his appointment to the role Herlé-Xavier Carn added: “I am extremely pleased to be joining Accor as SVP Group Safety & Security. Accor’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of employees and guests across its large global reach is clear for all to see, and I look forward to working with the team to deliver against this commitment to the highest standards.”